Only about half of parents with annual incomes of less than $25,000 expect their child will attain a four-year-college degree, compared with more than eight in ten parents with incomes over $75,000.
To help individuals and society cope with [divorce], we need to move beyond sweeping generalizations about the "average" outcome of divorce and conduct more fine-tuned investigations into the full range of family processes and events that increase the risks of damage or augment the resilience of children and adults.
Conventional wisdom and research strongly suggest that when divorced parents can eventually co-parent, protect their children from their unresolved conflicts, incorporate authoritative parenting skills and maintain good mental health, their children have a good chance to fare well in the long term. These are ideal goals for any family, not just those of divorce. But, during the stressful period prior to the separation-and often for several years afterward-even the most dedicated parents are unsteady.
